Mukesh Ambani 'to pay' for security; Kejriwal still objects

RIL chairman Mukesh Ambani said today that he will pay on his own for his security, amid criticism by parties like the Aam Aadmi Party. Ambani was given 'Z' category VIP security following a threat perception to the business tycoon.

AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal, who expressed his disapproval about the business tycoon being given VIP security by tweeting "Such a rich man can't hire his own security guards. And no media had the courage to question this?", remained unimpressed still.

The home ministry had tasked country's lead anti-naxal operations force CRPF to take the responsibility with immediate effect after the proposal to this effect was cleared by the office of home minister Sushilkumar Shinde.

Under the 'Z' category security, Ambani was entitled to a pilot and follow-on vehicles with commandos armed with sophisticated weapons which were to give him proximate security every time he moved in Mumbai or any other part of country.

Sources said a security and threat analysis conducted by central security agencies recommended that Ambani should be provided round-the-clock armed security cover after which the home ministry issued the orders.

The Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) had earmarked a 28-member team for the task culling personnel out from its battalion based in Uttar Pradesh.

Recently, Ambani's office had informed the Mumbai Police about threat letters being issued to the honcho purportedly on behalf of the home grown terror group Indian Mujahideen (IM).

Mumbai police was also planning to fortify Ambani's sprawling residential building Antilia in south Mumbai's Altamount Road.

Following the threat letter received by Ambani's office, security in and around Antilia was tightened.